Types of subsidies for palm nuts processing into red oil in South-East Benin

Access to in-kind subsidies and financing remains limited, despite the positive impact of subsidies on women's entrepreneurship in developing countries. This study aims to characterize women's use of subsidies and financing sources in processing palm nuts into red oil in southeastern Benin. A survey of 312 randomly selected women palm nut processors in the communes of Sakété, Avrankou, and Ifangni revealed three distinct groups through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA): women using self-financing and formal financing with in-kind subsidies (49.4%); women utilizing formal and informal financing sources with interest, but no subsidies (40.4%); and women receiving in-kind subsidies and interest-free loans through the Community Approach Program for the Agricultural Market (ACMA) project (10.3%). Government support for women's entrepreneurship, in the form of in-kind and cash grants, is crucial for ensuring women's empowerment in southeastern Benin. Key words: Agricultural market (ACMA), financing, subsidy, palm nuts, JEL classification, South Benin.